Wood knows few design limits. Its lighter hues can complement contemporary spaces while darker finishes and rough knots signal to a rustic bent. We found five seats and surfaces that incorporate or seek to replicate the material’s nature’s beauty, giving designers myriad options in working wood into their spaces. We cap off this week’s product finds with an upholstery collection made entirely from post-consumer recycled polyester, which puts a different spin on green.
Evergrain and Structured, Arborite
High-pressure laminates offer design flexibility through not only their variety of colors and shapes but also the opportunity to incorporate textures. Arborite’s two new textures, Evergrain and Structured (shown), emulate wood in hues that match a range of applications. Evergrain offers the feel of wood grain with a slight sheen and is available with 57 of the company’s high-pressure laminate designs. Structured’s highly embossed texture provides a contemporary look and is available on 27 of the company’s laminates. Both products are Greenguard-certified for indoor air quality. arborite.com
Slam Beam, Leland International
With a form that eliminates excess material, Slam Beam from Leland International takes a minimalist approach to bench seating. Available in two, three, and four-seat arrangements, and with or without arms, the seating collection comes in wood or polypropylene finishes and three base colors. Tables may be added between or at the end of the seats. lelandinternational.com
Aurora Barn Doors, Aurora Doors
Swing doors require greater clearance than sliding doors and can be a safety hazard in busy hallways. Designed for use in healthcare and corporate applications, Aurora Barn Doors from Aurora Doors offer clear spans of up to 196” and a concealed floor track. The doors are available with flush wood panels as well as with with aluminum or wood stiles and rails, and they can accommodate ¼”- to ½”-thick glass panels with acoustic seals to reduce sound transmission. Available with locks, latches, and card readers. auroradoors.com
Us Wood Base Chair, American Seating
American Seating expanded its Us contract furniture collection to include the Wood Base Chair, which pairs a streamlined multi-ply wood base (in an ash or walnut veneer) with a texture-molded polypropylene seating shell. The seat pad comes in more than 450 fabrics and the shell is offered in 15 colors, including green and lake blue (shown). The chair measures 33-15/16” tall and 23-13/16” deep. americanseating.com
Craftwood, Terra Legno
Resilient flooring may be known for its durability, but it often struggles to capture the wood look many clients desire. Terra Legno’s Craftwood is made from engineered hardwood to provide the resilience necessary for commercial and residential applications, and includes an oil finish and a micro-bevel edge. The FSC-certified, random-length boards measure 9/16” thick and 5” wide. terralegno.com
Gold Standard Collection, Designtex
Low in VOCs and free of topical finishes, this upholstery collection from Designtex is made entirely of post-consumer recycled polyester and can be cleaned with water-based solvents. Three of the collection’s designs—Concept (shown), Pop Art, and Precision—were the first upholstery products to receive gold-level certification under the Facts Sustainability Ecolabel developed by the Association for Contract Textiles. designtex.com
